DOJ confirms Bonoan's delayed return amid wife's health issues

The Department of Justice (DOJ) was informed that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan would not return to the country on the date he had declared, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said on Thursday.

Vida said Bonoan's legal counsel wrote him an email informing him that the ex-government official would not be able to return to the Philippines on December 17, 2025.

"Before Christmas, the lawyer of Sec. Bonoan wrote me an e-mail informing na hindi siya makakauwi earlier promised kasi nagkaroon ng some issue sa operations ng wife niya," Vida said.

(Bonoan's lawyer wrote me an email before Christmas informing he would not be able to go back on the promised date because his wife's operation had some issues.)

Vida added he requested Bonoan's lawyer to provide him an exact date of the ex-DPWH chief's return and information on his whereabouts but has yet to receive a response.

Bonoan, among the government officials implicated in the flood control mess, left for the United States (US) via Taiwan on November 11, 2025 to allegedly accompany his wife, who will undergo a medical procedure. His overseas travel was reported to last until December 17.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), however, confirmed in November 2025 that Bonoan has yet to return to the country even after his declared date of return has passed.

The DOJ issued an immigration lookout bulletin (ILBO) against Bonoan amid the probe into the alleged anomalous flood management projects in the country. This comes after the former DPWH Secretary stepped down from his post in August.

DOJ officials previously said that an ILBO directs immigration employees to inform law enforcement agencies regarding the whereabouts of the individuals named in the order. 

However, it does not prevent any individual from leaving the country.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure earlier recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Bonoan and other former DPWH officials over a P95 million flood control project in Bocaue, Bulacan.—LDF, GMA Integrated News